Living Policy: Health Care

Canadians are facing an obesity epidemic, skyrocketing incidences of cancer, and increasing waiting times for medical procedures. At the Green Party, we feel that the health care system should be dealt with in the same manner as a doctor would treat a patient. Rather than using short-term, band aid fixes to health care, the Green Party will focus on long-term, preventable solutions to the health care needs of Canadians. This can be done within the framework of our existing universal health-care system, and not by turning to a two-tier system. Here is how the Green Party envisions our health care system: • Using the full force of the Canada Health Act, federal spending power and the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to oppose any steps that open the way to two-tier health care in Canada. • Coordinate a national pharmacare plan with the provinces so that effective medications are available to all Canadians. The Green Party also has a plan to increase the physical activity for Canadians of all ages. This plan involves: • Implementing the pan-Canadian goal, agreed to by all 14 Ministers responsible for physical activity, of increasing physical activity by 10 per cent over 5 years. • Making a strategic investment of $500 million over 5 years to aggressively address inactivity and obesity, through Health Canada and through school-based physical and health education as well as community-based programs and facilities. • Introducing a national standard of daily, quality participation in sport and physical activity in schools. • Supporting the development of high-performance athletes both by encouraging broad-based participation in sport and by contributing to the provision of essential facilities, coaching and medical support for high-performance athletes, as outlined in the 2003 Canadian Sport Policy.